COLLAGE APPROACH TO ABSTRACTION

Perhaps the simplest way to abstraction and to composition is to use torn and cut out shapes of paper, and arrange them until the combination appeals to you. Collage involves gluing or adhering the shapes to a foundation board.

My first experience in collage was in a college class. We came in with an unfinished painting on a canvas, a panel, or a board. Most of us did not see things as abstract shapes, until Mr. Roberts gave us semi-transparent colored tissues and we were told to lay the areas of color over the established images. I had started with a drawing/painting of a house, and I laid ribbons of tissue over the house, to create layers of color, which became nearly transparent when saturated with medium. Diagonal bands were perspective lines to a horizon. I began to see abstract shapes in everything!

Soon I learned magazines, printed and painted papers and more could be used to create a collage.

Collage of Tulip magazine photo, painted papers, and colored tissue.

These disparate images and colors and textures were glued to white matboard. Many years later, I learned to use the computer, and scanned the simple collage as an image. Next, I cut out and repeated the shapes in a revised version of the collage in my computer Photoshop document. (Below)

"Just an Old Fashioned Girl" in different fonts was written in different colors and layers over this collage design © by Ruth Zachary. This was conceived as a design for wrapping paper.

It is valuable to consider using both irregular shapes with torn edges, and cut out geometric shapes of different sizes ranging from small to 1/2 the area of the full format. Placing the edges so some are vertical or horizontal tends to flatten the image, while diagonals and angles suggest a sense of depth. Create horizontal and then vertical compositions. Experiment.

Collage is an exciting medium! And it can be executed in a short period of time.

If you want the creation to last, though, use good materials. Don't use other people's photos if you can create your own photo images and textures. Create your own hand made papers with good pigments. Tissue collage needs to be color fast so it won't fade. Use color fast inks if you use the computer. Acrylic medium and pigments will bond papers to your (acid free) primed board, if adhered properly.

One techique I use is to coat the area where a paper is to be placed with medium. Often I saturate the paper with water before laying it down, and then work the medium into the paper from the top. Water in a sprayer will help retain the moistness as long as you desire it. This helps avoid wrinkles and bubbles. It helps prevent loose areas and air pockets, because the wet paper shrinks into the layer of medium underneath.

On the other hand, wrinkled tissue or rice paper creates a wonderful texture in a collage. You can usually paint over areas you don't like if they are still smooth. A final layer of medium or varnish finishes the creation. If to be left open to the air, be sure to varnish. Otherwise, use framed glass on your masterpiece.

Acrylics are hard on brushes, so keep them wet in plenty of fresh water until you are ready to clean them thoroughly with a strong detergent.Then leave soap in the bristles until before the next use.

Writing and images are the sole property and copyright © of Ruth Zachary.